7 Things You HAVE to Do in February

February is a stormy month filled with love and plenty of fun for Portland families! There’s so much to celebrate and tons of activities that will warm your kids’ hearts and light up their smiles. Get the family outside and moving with an amazing light show, the Year of the Dog (and puppies!) celebration and more! Read on for the details on these events and more

Portland Winter Light Festival

Designed as an incentive to get outside even on these dark evenings, the Winter Light Festival is a family-friendly event bristling with gorgeous artworks and lightshows. The main gallery is on the waterfront near OMSI, but this year will see the addition of several other locations, as well. Combining art and technology, the displays are a dazzling riot of light and imagination. And it’s all free! Tips: dress warm and take public transportation to help combat limited parking.

Princess Promenade

The Daddy Daughter Dance of the year offers a chance for K-8 girls and their male fathers, relatives or guardians to dress up and dance the night away! Real princesses from Portland Superheroes will be there to meet everyone, as well. With music, snacks, face painting, photo souvenirs and gift bags, it’s a night your Little Princess will always remember. All proceeds benefit the Sherwood FACE Foundation for Academic and Cultural Exchange.

Puplandia Extravaganza

If you’re a puppy-lovin' family (or if someone in your family wants you to be!) get your fix at Puplandia’s Shopping Event at Oaks Park. Over 50 vendors will be there selling all things dog, including treats, baked goods, art, toys, calendars and more! Finish it off with a free Puppy Kissing Booth (best Valentine’s Day Ever? Yes.)

Chinese New Year

Welcome to the Year of the Dog! The Lan Su Chinese Gardens kicks off the celebrations on February 16 by rolling oranges and lucky coins straight through the front door, a traditional way to celebrate. Stop by any weekend during the celebration for stunning lion dances, martial arts performances, craft activities, and a chance to add to the Chinese Wishing Tree.

KidFest NW

This is the most epic kid festival you’ll find in these parts! The “Whopper of All Family Fests” kicks off at the Expo Center with a bang: entertainment stages, inflatable bounce houses, bubble soccer, exotic animals, music, art, Paint Ball, and so much more. The SportFest is an event-within-an-event offering demos for a wide range of sports sure to please any age. And if sports aren’t your family’s thing, don’t worry: you can also find science demos, interactive exhibits, and even cooking challenges. And with your ticket getting you into almost everything it’s an affordable, epic day full of fun.

Raptor Road Trip on Sauvie Island

Here’s your chance for some super exciting bird watching! Sauvie Island is the winter home of many Bald Eagles, raptors, and hawks. Join Metro and the Portland Audubon Society for a self-guided tour around the island. Guides will be at four locations around the island to help beginner bird-spotters (and don’t worry, even if you can’t find any in the skies you can meet some up-close raptors). And hot drinks and donuts are provided for your Breakfast with the Birds! Spend a day with the hawks!

The Zymoglyphic Museum

A strange and wonderful peek into an oddball world of delight, this tiny museum houses art exhibits of found objects arranged in surrealistic ways. Strange and quirky dioramas showcase skeletons of imaginary creatures and other curiosities. Kids and families open to a wacky art show of collected nature will love it! You may even be inspired to start your own museum...